Health

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) was first described in 1978. It is caused by the products of infection with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. TSS has been reported in women who use a tampons during their menstrual periods. It is a severe illness that develops suddenly and causes fever, hypotension (low blood pressure), rash, diarrhea, and shock. During TSS, massive edema occurs; on a cellular level, this means that large amounts of fluid leak out of blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. This edema contributes to severe hypotension and shock, which are the most common causes of death in patients with TSS. The bacteria that cause TSS make a toxin called TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1). It has been reported that this toxin may be responsible for causing massive edema by making the blood vessels become leaky (have increased permeability). This study was performed to test the theory. Cells that normally form the inner lining of blood vessels, called endothelial cells, were taken from pig blood vessels and grown in culture. A solution containing a protein (albumin) was added to the cells and the rate at which the protein could pass through the layer of cells was recorded. When TSST-1 was added, the protein was able to passed through the layer of cells much more rapidly. These findings suggest that when toxic shock occurs, TSST-1 may be responsible for causing massive edema by increasing the permeability of blood vessels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Group B streptococci (GBS) possess multiple antigens in the cell wall. These include group-specific polysaccharide and type-specific carbohydrate antigens (TSC) Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV. A protein antigen known as c protein, which has alpha, beta, gamma and delta antigens, is usually found on the Ib type (or strain), and occasionally on types Ia and II. Researchers assessed the type-specific carbohydrates and the role of the c antigens in the clinical virulence (disease strength) of GBS strains isolated from septic and healthy newborns, and pregnant women. Neonates with GBS infections provided 140 isolates: 47 cases of early-onset sepsis (infection at less than 7 days after birth); 50 cases of late-onset sepsis (infection at 7 or more days after birth); and 43 cases of sepsis at an unspecified age. Additional isolates were obtained from 74 healthy neonates and 41 healthy, pregnant women. The distribution of the type-specific antigens and c protein antigens is provided in detail. The type III antigen, and the delta antigen of the c protein were most frequently expressed together in isolates from infected newborns, primarily from late-onset cases. The gamma antigen of the c protein, independent of the type-specific antigen, was most frequently associated with early-onset sepsis. This finding suggests that the gamma antigen may increase the virulence of GBS isolates that cause early-onset neonatal sepsis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Toxic shock syndrome caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that produces enterotoxin C but not toxic shock syndrome toxin-1

Article Abstract:

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a combination of symptoms caused by toxins produced by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Although the toxin causing TSS is found primarily in menstruating women who use tampons, other toxins can also affect men and non-menstruating women. TSS is rare in infancy; only two cases have been reported in children under the age of one year. An eight-month-old boy was brought to the hospital with labored and rapid breathing, diarrhea, and fever. He had a peeling diaper rash, a rash on his legs, and mouth lesions. Cultures of fluid removed from his lungs revealed Staphylococcus aureus, which produced the toxin known as enterotoxin C. The culture of S. aureus did not produce TSS-toxin 1, which has been associated with TSS in menstruating women. Aggressive antibiotic treatment for 21 days resulted in a favorable outcome. TSS is characterized by fever, low blood pressure, diarrhea, shock and rash. With the increased incidence of TSS in nonmenstruating women, children who develop characteristic symptoms of TSS and have concurrent Staphylococcal infection should be evaluated for toxins that can cause toxic shock syndrome. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)